WISE GUY: A Lot riding on Stevenson-Chippewa Valley clash

Stevenson is at Chippewa Valley on Friday with a state football playoff berth on the line.

The Titans and Big Reds, who have played one another at least once per year since 1995, are both 5-1 and one victory from qualifying for the post-season.

In addition to posting the minimum six wins necessary for playoff consideration, the winner of their game stays in the chase for at least a share of the Macomb Area Conference Red Division championship.

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The loser goes to a less favorable place.

Neither the Titans nor the Big Reds has an easy mark on their schedule the rest of the regular season.

Stevenson follows with games against arch rival Eisenhower and playoff-bound Warren-Mott.

Warren-Mott (6-0) is undefeated and playing for the best possible playoff seed.

Dakota (5-1), which could wrap up a playoff berth if it defeats Ford this week, might be playing for an outright Red Division championship when the Cougars call on Chippewa Valley.

Port Huron (4-2), which hopes to get its fifth win this week against Roseville, faces Warren-Mott in Week 8 and might need to beat CV in Week 9 to get into the playoffs.

In short, don’t expect any of Stevenson’s and Chippewa Valley’s opponents to be in giving moods.

Stevenson and Chippewa Valley are accustomed to regular visits to the playoffs, but neither qualified in 2011 and 2010.

The winner of their game will fulfill its playoff goal this week.

The loser will have more work to do.

Here are the Wise Guy’s picks for Week 7:

FRIDAY, OCT. 5

STEVENSON at CHIPPEWA VALLEY: Stevenson’s most impressive victory this season: against Romeo. Chippewa Valley’s most impressive: against Eisenhower. Wise Guy has been flipping a coin all week. The last flip came up Stevenson. Titans by 2.

EISENHOWER at ROMEO: This is evolving into one of Macomb County’s better rivalries. Playing four times in two years, as the Eagles and Bulldogs have done, will do that for a relationship. Eisenhower by 6.

DAKOTA at FORD: Dakota is 9-1 all-time against Ford. Dakota by 24.

L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH at PORT HURON NORTHERN: The 4-2 Crusaders can’t dwell on their comeback win over L’Anse Creuse. They’ve got a long bus trip to take and a game to play in order to move one win from playoff consideration. LCN by 3.

WARREN-MOTT at COUSINO: The 6-0 Marauders seek a seventh win in a season for the fourth time since 2006. Warren-Mott by 13.

LAMPHERE at SOUTH LAKE: South Lake, 5-1 overall, needs a victory to secure a playoff berth and climb into a tie for first place in the MAC Silver. South Lake by 4.

NOTRE DAME PREP at LUTHERAN NORTH: Lutheran North (5-1) needs one victory to nail down a playoff spot, but this might be the Mustangs’ toughest opponent so far this season. Prep by 6.

Anchor Bay by 5 at Utica

Armada by 7 over visiting Capac

Madison by 9 over visiting East Detroit

L’Anse Creuse by 4 over visiting Fraser

St. Clair by 12 at Lake Shore

Sterling Heights by 6 at Lakeview

Clawson by 4 at Lincoln

Memphis by 2 over visiting Bad Axe

Richmond by 8 at Algonac

Port Huron by 7 at Roseville

SATURDAY, OCT. 6

MOUNT CLEMENS at CLINTONDALE: Clintondale has won 14 in a row against the Bathers. Clintondale by 8.

ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY at DE LA SALLE: OLSM has won three straight in the series. St. Mary by 4.